AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Milwaukee, Madison, Appleton and Eau Claire Wisconsin Area Offices,
And the
Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health Consultation Program,
And the
Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association

The Wisconsin Area Offices of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the
Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health Consultation Program, and the Wisconsin Underground
Contractors Association recognize the value of establishing a collaborative relationship to foster
safer and more healthful American workplaces. OSHA, the Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health
Consultation Program, and the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association hereby form an Alliance
to provide the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association members and others with information,
guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety,
particularly in reducing and preventing exposure to excavation and trenching construction hazards
and addressing training issues.

OSHA, the Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health Consultation Program, and the Wisconsin Underground
Contractors Association will work together to achieve the following training and education goals:

To provide expertise to develop training and education programs for local underground contractors
regarding trenching and excavation construction hazards, and to provide expertise in communicating
such information to employers and employees in the industry.

To provide expertise to develop workplace safety and health curricula on trenching and excavation
construction hazards.

OSHA, the Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health Consultation Program, and
the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association will work together to achieve the following outreach
and communication goals:

To provide expertise in developing information on the recognition and prevention of workplace
hazards, and to provide expertise in developing ways of communicating such information (e.g. print
and electronic media, electronic assistance tools and OSHA, the Wisconsin Occupational Safety &
Health Consultation Program and the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association Web sites) to
employers and employees in the industry.

Speak, exhibit, or appear at conferences or local meetings on a quarterly basis.

OSHA, the Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health Consultation Program, and
the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association will work together to achieve the following goals
related to promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety and health:

The leaders of the Wisconsin Underground Contractors Association will raise others' awareness of
and demonstrate their own commitment to workplace safety and health when they address groups on
safety and health topics.

Develop and disseminate case studies illustrating the business value of safety and health and
publicize their results.

Convene or participate in forums, round table discussions, or stakeholder meetings on excavation
and trenching construction hazard issues to help forge innovative solutions in the workplace or to
provide input on safety and health issues.

OSHA's Alliances provide parties an opportunity to participate in a voluntary cooperative
relationship with OSHA for purposes such as training and education, outreach and communication, and
in promoting a national dialogue on workplace safety and health. These Alliances have proved to be
valuable tools for both OSHA and its Alliance participants. By entering into an Alliance with a
party, OSHA is not endorsing any of that party's products or services; nor does the Agency enter
into an Alliance with the purpose of promoting a particular party's products or services.

An implementation team, made up of representatives of all organizations, will meet to develop a plan
of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the
participants. Team members will include representatives of the Wisconsin OSHA Area Offices, the
Wisconsin Occupational Safety & Health Consultation Program, and the Wisconsin Underground
Contractors Association. In addition, they will meet at least two times per year to track and share
information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.

This agreement will remain in effect for two years. Any signatory may terminate it for any reason at
any time, provided they give 30 days written notice. This agreement may be modified at any time with
the concurrence of all signatories.

George
Yoksas
Area Director, Milwaukee
Occupational Safety and Health Administration